I’ve been homeschooled since the eighth grade. I’ve heard every myth out there, so it’s time to debunk a few. But first, we may need a slight vocabulary lesson.
Homeschooling — When a child follows a traditional curriculum (Abeka is a popular Christian curriculum) from their home or in a co-op.
Co-Op — a place where multiple homeschoolers get together to learn. It is a lot like a traditional school but normally meets once or twice a week.
Unschooling — When a child is taught only life skills (cooking, cleaning, etc.) and follows no curriculum.
Curriculum — The core classes, like math and science, every child needs. This is taught in brick and mortar schools as well as homeschooling.
Brick and mortar schools — traditional schools, public or private.
1. All homeschoolers are sheltered.
No. No. NO. We really aren’t. I may not be in a public school every day, but I’m not clueless. I know the latest trends and whatnot in the world. I just don’t have to be exposed to it so suddenly. It’s a blessing, really.
2. All homeschoolers only have their siblings as friends.
This is probably my favorite to hear, actually. I play volleyball with a homeschool co-op team. I am a regular church attendee. I maintained friends from my traditional school. I have plenty of friends — I'm not just limited to my siblings. We actually know how to socialize and make friends.
(Though I do love my siblings!) I even went to prom!
3. All homeschoolers are homeschooled for religious purposes.
Also wrong. After leaving a traditional brick and mortar school for various reasons, homeschool was the best option for my family. The other local schools wouldn’t meet the needs of my siblings and me. That is why we are homeschooled.
4. All homeschoolers are taught by their mom/dad.
Not quite, actually. I attend on online cyber school. I actually have teachers in a different part of the state that grade my work and teach me through virtual lessons. It’s like my online college classes, just on a high school level.
5. All homeschoolers never go to college.
HAHA! This one… I currently am enrolled in college. I will be in my second year of college, yet I am homeschooled for high school. When I graduate in May, I will attend a four-year college like any other student in a brick and mortar school.
6. All homeschoolers are lazy and do nothing all day.
This is such a common misconception. There is a difference in unschooling your child and homeschooling your child. (Refer to homeschool vocab for definitions). I am actually very active during the day. I do my school work and have the luxury of doing other things in my spare time.
7. All homeschoolers do whatever they want, whenever they please.
Now this one is somewhat true. I have the luxury of not being stuck in a school building all day, which allows me to do my assigned work and then be done. If I have plans with friends or need to go somewhere, it doesn’t always have to be after school hours. I also have been able to go on week-long mission trips during the school year. Multiple times I have packed my laptop and headed off to do mission work. I just have the luxury of doing my work in my downtime, or even before I leave. But I still have to do my work. I don’t get to just skip it.
8. All homeschoolers are homeschooled because of illness.
Please refer to #3.
9. All homeschoolers are the same.
Now, does our schooling really get to justify that? I have plenty of homeschooled friends and we’re all different. We have different interests and personalities. Our schooling really doesn’t dictate our personalities.
10. All homeschoolers will homeschool their children.
Why is this a common myth? Why do you make it sound like a bad thing? Now, I speak as someone who is single and has no plans for marriage and children for a while. BUT when the Lord blesses me with that, I will make the decision based on various factors, like the school district we live in, my child’s learning needs, things like that. It will not be based on what my or my husband’s education was. Every person is different in their needs, children included. So while my children may end up homeschooled, it will not be solely based on that I was homeschooled for a part of my life.
So there you have it — 10 myths about homeschooling debunked. Don't be afraid of homeschoolers, we are regular kids. And don't be afraid to homeschool your own child(ren). It's the best thing my parents did for me and my siblings.
